Ramucirumab + Pembrolizumab in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
brief summary
The investigators hypothesize that inhibition of angiogenesis and PD-1 will be more effective than inhibition of PD-1 alone. The first step in pursuing proof of this hypothesis is to establish the safety and feasibility of combining ramucirumab with pembrolizumab, therefore the first part of this protocol is a de-escalation phase I trial of the combination of ramucirumab + pembrolizumab. Three participants will be treated at each dose level. De-escalation to the next dose level will occur if 2 or more participants experience dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) attributable to ramucirumab during cycle 1. The key objective of the phase I trial is to establish the safety and the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ramucirumab for this novel combination regimen in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM-HNSCC). The second step in pursuing proof of this hypothesis is to establish the efficacy of ramucirumab (using the RP2D) with pembrolizumab. The second part of this protocol is a single arm phase II trial combining ramucirumab + pembrolizumab. The primary objective of the phase II trial is to determine the tumor response rates (complete response (CR) and partial response (PR)) of the treatment combination given as first line therapy in patients with RM-HNSCC.
official title
A Prospective Phase I and II Trial of Ramucirumab + Pembrolizumab in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma